Higher Doses of Vitamin-D Reduce Cancer Risk

Vitamin-D is necessary for the maintenance of normal levels of calcium and phosphorus. Sunlight is the optimum and healthiest way of getting vitamin D. This, however, can be a problem for those who live in the cold northern climates. Getting adequate levels from sunlight is also a problem for those with dark skin. The high melanin content filters out a lot of the UV (ultra-violet rays.)

Studies have found that sufficient amounts of vitamin-D may reduce the risks of contracting multiple sclerosis.

Ongoing research has revealed that a major factor in Parkinson's Disease is vitamin D deficiency. Researchers reviewed a 1997 case report in which a patient diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease showed improvement with a daily supplementation of 4,000 IUs of vitamin D.

Vitamin-D is also a major cancer fighter. Two new meta-analysis studies (meta-analysis combines data from multiple reports) showed that people with the highest levels of vitamin D had the lowest risk of breast cancer. The reverse is also true. Those with the lowest levels of vitamin D had the highest risks of breast cancer. Many Americans over 50 are deficient in vitamin D.

A study has shown that 600 IUs (international units) of vitamin D is sufficient to lower the risk of pancreatic cancer by 41 percent.

Although the current recommended daily allowance of vitamin-D is 400 IUs (international units), a recent study found that by raising the amount considerably will reduce the risk of developing colon cancer by 50 percent. It doesn't matter if the extra vitamin D comes from the sun or from food or supplements. Edward Gorham, Ph.D., a research epidemiologist with the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego, found from his studies that 1,000 IUs to 2,000 IUs of vitamin-D daily will achieve this 50 percent reduction of colon cancer risk.

Vitamin D is found in animal foods such as liver and egg yolks and in fatty fish such as salmon. Cod liver oil is an excellent source of this vitamin. Too much vitamin D can be toxic. Vitamin D from sunlight and unfortified food sources are not a problem. Toxicity can be a problem when the source of vitamin D is from supplements fortified foods (milk, yogurt, margarine and breakfast cereals.)

Vitamin D comes in 2 forms: D-2 and D-3. D-3 is recommended because it is more active. Signs of deficiency...

Multiple studies show that vitamin D is effective against colds and the flu. High doses of vitamin D boosts production of cathelicidin--the ammunition for the body's natural 'killer' cells.

Vitamin D is fat-soluble. It is possible to get toxic levels of this beneficial vitamin when taken in supplemental form such as through consumption of cod liver oil. However, this will not happen when vitamin D is acquired from the sun.

Depending on where you live, you may have no choice but to get vitamin D in supplemental form. In order to prevent toxicity, you should get your blood levels of this vitamin checked. The test that you should ask for is 25(OH), also known as 25-hydroxyvitaminD blood test.

The normal range for vitamin D blood levels is 20 to 56 ng/ml (50 to 140 nmol/l.) The normal range is too low. Optimum levels to shoot for is 45 to 52 ng/ml (115 to 128 nmol/l.)

Important Note:: cholesterol is a precursor to vitamin D synthesis. This synthesis is activated by UVB rays from sunlight.

Not only are Americans not getting enough sunlight because of warnings from the sunscreen industry and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), but many are also on statins--cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Vitamin D and chronic pain...

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